PLEASE READ THIS FIRST: Luke 12:49-53
What do you sense the Lord saying to you in this passage?
“I have come to bring fire on the earth…” (Luke 12:49)
Jesus didn’t sow fire and division, but they did come as a result.
The love, joy and peace in him made people react.
Some were humbled and drawn to him, they wanted what he had!
But others were troubled and angered, and wanted to snuff it out.
This is what happens to Jesus, and to those who identify with him.
History shows this too: many Jesus followers have endured ‘fire’.
“In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)
Experiencing the God life does bring us love, joy and peace within.
But it can also make me a target to those who don’t like it.
Fire and division will come, but don’t be the one starting them!
We are filled with the fire of the Spirit to produce love, joy, peace.
We should not fight the world’s fire with their fire, but with his!
With his help we can be peace-bringers not fire-starters.
PRAYER
Lord, use your fire of love, joy and peace to fight the fire of hate, hurt and division. Keep me burning strong for you when I feel the heat of other’s negative reaction.
The cleansing of water and fire – wash or burn away all that it rotten and not good. It is true that rottenness sets in everywhere – maybe especially in churches or families as Satan works hard to mislead especially those who are close. Yet he is the loser – the fire will come – the evil will be purged – and sin atoned for and washed away in the name of Jesus. Help me to stay clean – burn away all dross – help me live the Jesus way more nearly each day!
Being a Jesus follower will cause division. Those who accept His Way and those who who insist on having their own way. The one shows the love of Christ and the other shows self centered love. Being a Jesus follower will bring division but at all times \I need to show the love of Christ in me to them. I need to be an instrument of His peace. I need to let His LightShine through me in my living for Jesus.
1 Give me oil in my lamp, keep me burning,
give me oil in my lamp, I pray;
give me oil in my lamp, keep me burning,
keep me burning till the break of day.
Refrain:
Sing hosanna, sing hosanna,
sing hosanna to the King of kings!
Sing hosanna, sing hosanna,
sing hosanna to the King!
2 Give me joy in my heart, keep me praising,
give me joy in my heart, I pray;
give me joy in my heart, keep me praising,
keep me praising till the break of day. [Refrain]
3 Give me peace in my heart, keep me loving,
give me peace in my heart, I pray;
give me peace in my heart, keep me loving,
keep me loving till the break of day. [Refrain]
4 Give me love in my heart, keep me serving,
give me love in my heart, I pray;
give me love in my heart, keep me serving,
keep me serving till the break of day.